Insurance Cards Could Go Digital Under Missouri Bill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The smartphone era could spare Missouri motorists from digging through their glove boxes for their insurance cards when they’re stopped by law enforcement.

State senators passed legislation (SB317) Thursday that would authorize drivers to show digital images of their proof-of-insurance cards to law enforcement officers or state licensing clerks instead of having to present a piece of paper. The bill now goes to the House.

The legislation is sponsored by Republican Sen. Gary Romine, of Farmington. He says paper insurance cards easily get lost in vehicle glove boxes. But he says many people now have a smartphone readily available at their side.

The bill says police and licensing clerks cannot be held liable if they accidentally drop a person’s smartphone while verifying vehicle insurance.